Admin Blog

Dec. 15th - 7:27pm - Dave

added how to protect your content to under vloggerhood tab

Nov. 12th - 4:27pm - Dave

 

changed the team names and links in the tos

 

Oct. 12th - 8:46pm - Frank

 

There is now a MORE button at the bottom of the Latest Activity feed which lets you scroll through older comments and posts.

 

Oct. 9th - 7:32pm - Frank

 

Ning unveils a new text editor, which is optional to activate.  Anybody in favor?

 

Sept. 24th - 10:18pm - Frank

 

News from Ning:

Exciting News About Ning + Glam Media (Ning to be acquired by Glam)  More here

Sept. 17th - 6:29pm - Frank

 

Just a reminder to anyone embedding from YT who would like to have the thumbnail show an image of their video and not the generic YT logo, you need to select "use old embed code" and not the iframe code option.  Thanks to Uriel for helping me confirm this was the issue. Here's an older blog I wrote which reviews the extra step needed.

 

Sept. 4th - 3:29pm - Frank

 

I've updated the TOS to fix links to the home pages of Daniel and myself, and I've removed two obsolete links.

 

August 29th - 5:22am - Frank

 

Here's a handy article on how you can convert long videos to smaller sizes for direct upload to VH.  The methods are free and will work with PC, Apple, or Linux. Converting Longer Videos for Ning Compatibility 

 

August 28th - 3:13pm - Frank

 

Liking it?  We've added the option for Google+ sharing.  This will only work with public content, so private stays private.  Here's an article about it.

 

August 14th - 12:03am - Admin Team

 

Following a warning about breaching ToS, the user Carbon has now been officially suspended for a period of 3 months.

 

August 9th - 12:06pm - Frank

 

I know some members have expressed that they are not receiving VH emails for comments and notices, although they would like to be able to do so. A new feature from Ning now allows the network owner to check to see who is receiving broadcasts and email. TomG has volunteered to do so. As you can imagine, it will be a long list to check, so before that starts, if there is anyone who would like to receive VH mail notices but currently is not receiving them, please let us know.  If Tom can match it against what Ning reports on the list, and there is a discrepancy (someone shows as being set-up to receive VH emails but still is not receiving them) we'll have a good foundation to submit a ticket to Ning with details about the problem.  Update - 11:17pm  Today Ning has added view counts to blogs and discussions.

 

August 1st - 8:55am - Frank

 

Happy August to you all.  Just a quick update on some options and improvements (I use that word gently and it really deserves quotes) Ning has either added or has available.  The first is a simple custom URL's for groups option, similar to the Custom URL option for content from the Admin Blog entry of the 14th.

 

Next is an option to find the date of a member's last visit (which does not work retroactively, but only from the start of the program).  Also there's what could be a pretty controversial option which saves discussions from being deleted.  I don't intend to activate this option, as it would make posts with more than one reply deletable only by admin (and not by the person who posted it).  And finally there's a "coming soon" ability to add content directly from the activity feed.   2:54pm update: As suggested and highlighted in Daniel's blog I've replaced the Ning message about it being okay to upload 30 videos at a time with a quote of our TOS on this matter.

 

 

July 25th - 3:07pm - Frank

 

Thanks to Diesel's blog for pointing out a home page issue with the banner display method described here on July 13th.  Having tried the second method with unsatisfactory results (I was getting a network name bleedthrough, which showed a text of "VloggerHeads" over the banner) I've set the display to Ning's former resizing (which means a banner that is 955 wide gets shrunk to 925 wide).

 

July 20th - 1:43pm - Frank

 

Ning has done some more work on its text editor, and added what could be a very useful feature: the ability to recover what you typed.  They describe it this way: "We've added a new 'Autorecover' feature to the text editor to help anyone who accidentally loses what they were working on in the text editor. After working on a blog post, discussion or broadcast message that is at least 50 characters long, you'll notice an 'Autorecover' link appear at the bottom of the editor."

 

Here's the article.

 

July 14th - 7:25pm - Frank

 

Not that it came as quickly as we wanted, but Ning has announced an update to the Latest Activity Feed which allows control of whether titles appear alone or with portions of text comments or content.

 

They've also announced a photo editing gadget called Aviary which they describe as "a suite of creative online tools to help people create — and improve upon — photos, designs and audio clips."

 

I'll activate the Aviary tool and here's a help section for those who may wish to use it. update 9:33pm: I've put up a brief video which shows a basic example of using Aviary.

 

Another little option Ning just released is called Custom URLs, which offers the option of editing the default url link for your content.

 

July 13th - 8:06pm - Frank

 

Thanks to Skibby for pointing out a display resizing issue by Ning with the banner (displaying slightly smaller than original upload size).  Thanks to this article I've followed the steps and adjusted it.

 

July 7th - 9:47pm - Frank

 

I've added a Reference Shelf sub-tab below the VloggerHood tab.  The RS contains the following gadgets: dictionary, thesaurus, currency, metric and temperature conversion tables, a translator tool, and word search.  Older tabs (such as Helloween 2010) are preserved as links within the new sections.

 

July 3rd - 4:42pm - Frank

 

I've replaced the Helloween 2010 sub-tab (under Vloggerhood) with a World News Gallery tab which includes feeds from The New York Times, Reuters, and the BBC.  I thought it might be a quick and easy place to spark some discussion topics for blogging or vlogging.

 

July 2nd - 4:21pm - Frank

 

Was very happy to read Selina's blog which puts our donations at $600 and our goal of paying for a year met.  I've sent a reminder to Tom to take advantage of the pre price increase by Ning (which starts on the 20th--see below entry) and pay in advance now to lock-in our full year at $600.  Thanks to everyone at VH who contributed!  Do you want me to bury that button again?  ;-)

 

June 28th - 9:06pm - Frank

 

We're almost there!  VH donations now stand at $550.  If we can hit the $600 mark before Ning's upcoming price increase, we can pay in advance for one year at the current rate of $50/mo.  One more push VH, then we're clear for a year. 9:17pm update: according to Ning's Eric Suesz, the new payment structure kicks-in July 20th.

 

June 25th - 1:51pm - Frank

 

I've updated the activity feed as discussed in this blog.  2:05pm update: Thanks to Dylan for adjusting the code I posted and thanks to Lima for introducing three CSS options.  We're back in business old skool style with our traditional acitivity feed restored.  3:21pm: hmm, I wonder how we would have fared if we had tried the new Ning phone support feature for a CSS solution...

 

June 23rd - 11:46am - Frank

 

Holy Mai Tai Batman, we've received $105 since yesterday and now stand at $520 in total donations!

 

June 22nd - 12:22pm - Frank

 

We've received another $100 in contributions since the last update, including a pledge coming through, and we have now received $415 in donations ($265 of which in the last 4 days).  6:29pm update:  New Activity Feed Options blog posted.

 

June 21st - 3:55pm - Frank

 

We have now received $315 in actual donations, $165 of which since June 18th.

 

June 20th - 12:07am - Frank

 

As a general funding update, we are approaching the halfway mark to paying for VH for a year. (The cost breaking down to $50/mo.)  2:50pm update:  As an exact figure we have now received $215 in donations, and $65 of this amount since June 18th.  We have two pledges of $50 each from Morfeene and Jfry which we cannot count as donations until they are received.

 

June 17th - 11:05pm - Frank

 

After discussion with the group I've resized and relocated the VH PayPal donation button to appear above the activity feed.  This is done to raise greater awareness of the need for member support.

 

June 16th - 8:35am - Frank

 

After a blog poll I've enabled the like button (like a favorites button) for content which did not have a like or favorite option before, such as blogs, photos, discussions, groups, etc.  I've kept the old favorites system for videos.  We can decide what we like and what we want to tweak.  8:47am update: Finally, on page 61 of the Language Editor options, I found the settings to customize the Like button to a VH-centric kik button.

 

7:02pm - I'm reading that Ning says its new activity feed format could go live as early as next week.  (So if things look funky or seem buggy, it's not my fault!)  ;-)

 

June 15th - 4:30pm - Frank

 

Today Ning released Paid Access options.  Its most interesting abilities, as applied to VH, might be the option for an exclusive content area (I'm thinking member file sharing maybe) as well as possible easier setup of paid memberships (versus ads).

 

May 28th - 4:10pm - Frank

 

Another update from Ning on their upcoming release of the new interactive activity feed and main page features.  They include a photo of what it will look like on a network, and they say, "...when we release the Activity Feed improvements to the Ning Platform, they will take effect on all Ning Networks."

 

May 26th - 7:15pm - Frank

 

plans from Ning for A More Interactive Main Page.

 

May 21st - 2:45pm - Frank

 

Following a good suggestion by Jfry, I'm linking the blogs of PV suspension announcement and the To Phantomvision blog here for easier reference.

 

May 18th - 9:35pm - Frank

 

Ning has added a new feature called the Spam Watch List.   

 

May 13th - 8:55pm - Frank

 

Daniel has switched accounts to Gene Tarento and has voting status and moderator status switched to that account, which we have confirmed as Daniel.  I will update the TOS to reflect Daniel's link as moderator going to the Gene Tarento account.

 

May 10th - 9:20pm - Frank

 

False DMCA Update Announcement

 

 

May 6th - 2:30pm - Frank

 

Have added a VH PayPal donate button to the main page, below Groups.

 

May 5th - 3:22pm - Frank

 

VloggerHeads and the PayPal button.

 

May 3rd - 5:06pm - Frank

 

Every Ning network we've checked has experienced an unavailability of mail inbox functioning this afternoon.  I've written to Ning about the issue.  Update: 6:20pm mail functioning seems restored.  9:20pm the mail issue seems like it might be recurring intermittently.

 

May 2nd - 7:15pm - Frank

 

The GP has been updated to include amendments passed in the April election.

 

April 30th - 10:57am - Frank

 

Have updated the TOS to include ThaPolarBear as moderator.

 

 

April 29th - 10:55pm - Frank

 

Plugged-in and ready to hum is our newest moderator, Trish, ThaPolarBear!  Thank you to everyone who participated in the election!

 

April 21st - 1:45pm - Frank

 

From TomG, who has been instrumental as the site owner in directly alerting Ning about the false DMCA situation, "We're doing everything we can. The specifics of that are best kept between ourselves and Ning."

 

April 20th - 1:30pm - Frank

False DMCAs: Founders and admin are very much aware of the false DMCA situation and Ning has been contacted regarding this harassment.  Ning's initial DMCA response system is automated.  We are working to get in touch with real people at Ning so that they'll properly see the insubstantive nature of all these recent DMCA's.

 

March 14th - 6:03am - Frank

 

I've been working on a format experiment tentatively called VH Digest.  Click the link for a preview.

 

March 13th - 7:20am - Frank

 

New members have the option of signing-up using their Twitter account.  This article on Creator's Network talks about it.

 

March 12th - 7:25pm - Frank

Have made a slight adjustment to our front page layout to reflect a more uniform length to each of the three columns in our format. 

 

Feb. 28th - 9:35pm - Frank

 

An intermittent slowness issue was detected on Ning networks on the 25th, and although they reported that making some changes to their back end helped resolve performance issues, I have observed some slowness on the platform this evening.

 

Feb. 24th, 9:20pm - Frank

 

Have updated the VH TOS to include S.Presley as a mod.

 

Feb. 18th, 9:45pm - Frank
Weighing the new Like Button beta and welcoming input.
Feb. 14th, 10:15pm - Frank
Another smooth election. Welcome Josiah and James.
Feb. 11th, 4:15pm - Frank
Following-up Ning's new beta options with a look at the new Design Studio.
Feb. 9th, 5:50pm - Frank
The option to receive a daily email digest has been added. Here is the blog with details.
Feb. 4th, 12:05am - Frank
While VH concludes Headly voting and starts the new campaign window, it seems Ning also has a few things in the works. Two things. These are a Like button option, which promises to add more dynamic than the old Favorite button, and a Design Studio, currently in Beta, set to launch on Feb 9th. Of these two, the Like button would be the easier addition by far, whereas the design studio may not be optimal for the good ole VH look and layout...but perhaps it will offer some neat, less-sweeping options.
Feb. 2nd, 10:50am - Frank
VH and some other Ning networks might be experiencing problems with the creation of photo albums.
Feb. 2nd, 10:30am - Frank
Have updated the TOS to reflect Suja stepping down as mod.
Jan. 29th, 3:40pm - Frank
After Lorrie's blog VH Glitch? I posted on Creator's Network regarding receiving email notices of an initial comment reply to a blog or video (where normally only comments following yours would be sent via email). It may be related to working out the bugs in Ning's rollout of Daily Email Digests. We'll see.
Jan. 21st 12:05am - Frank
We've enabled Dynamic Photo Viewing, which should allow a smoother experience with photos.
Jan. 20th, 11am - Frank
For the time being, an extra step is needed to embed YT and other iframe videos on Ning networks. It is detailed in THIS BLOG.
Jan. 18th, 10:30pm - Frank
We've added the option to broadcast a Tweet from your home page.
January 17th, 9:15pm - Frank
The election transition continues to be a smooth one. Daniel is in place as moderator and I have just updated the GP to include the amendment which passed in the election.

 

 

December 7th, 1:54pm - from the root cellar of Frank

Ch33ki (aka Ch44ki...be on the lookout for Ch55ki, etc) has tormented me into writing this. It's been a bitterly hard winter here at Admin Base Camp...I've lost two toes to a misplaced axe strike while chopping wood to stoke the VH troll furnace. PiP has insisted on tickling me when I am almost asleep. It's friendly at first but after a fortnight it transforms into something rather dry and downright antedeluvian, damn it. Thanks to an old beachcombing metal detector provided by Morf, I think we've found the last of Zen's carefully sharpened seatcushion jacks. Of course I said this the last time and now my posterior sports a crude duct taped band-aid. Who will make the egg nogg I wonder? Vitamin supplements running low...will suck mistletoe for nourishment and listen for the sound of Ch33ki's pack hounds. Whether they bring rescue or ruin has yet to be determined.
I hear someone moaning in their sleep...think I'll borrow PiP's feather.

 

November 16th, 2:00pm - Morf
Just wanted to say HOWDY DOODY - hope you're all having a fine time on Vloggerheads!
November 15th, 11:15am - Frank
We've added advanced rich text editing to blogs and discussion posts. Covered here in a blog and here in a video.
November 9th, 9:20pm - Frank
Corrected non-working link to Ning TOS in the VH TOS.
November 7th, 2010, 5:30am - Frank
Have updated the VloggerHeads Terms of Service and added links for Morf, me and Suja, as well as the TOS amendment as was voted on, passed and ratified on July 29th, 2010. This concludes the update portion of your programming. Vlog on, and cheers!
November 7th, 2010, 3:12am - Frank
After publicly posting in a blog on Oct. 30th the Amended VloggerHeads Governing Procedures which include the amendments passed in the July and October elections, I later posted a private copy of the GP and contacted the VloggerHeads founding account about being ready to update the VH GP page. That update is now done. A copy of the old version has been saved.

ALL members who wish to do so are encouraged to read the updated GP, with those who proposed amendments which passed are especially encouraged to verify their amendments are properly listed.
--Frank
November 6th on a sunny California Morning at Morfeene's abode
Mea Culpa - as I was fiddling around yesterday, I managed to delete the "Hotlist" Tab. Now I know how it happened - I removed "Leaderboards" from the Home Page to free up some space, not knowing that doing that would remove the corresponding Tab in the Menu Bar. Oops. So sorry. Sooo - I lost the "Helloween" page, "Monthly Highlights" and "Best of the Best" - as far as I know forever (unless someone can tell me how to list the "pages" that we create on the site?) I have re-created the "Best of the Best" as a sub-tab under "Vloggerhood", so we can select the finest videos we would like to bring front and center as an easily accessible permanent record. If you would like to participate in selection of the Best of the Best - please join the featured nomination group and post some links. Once again - sorry about that - I'll be more careful from now on. Thanks Morfeene (Steve)

Postscript - ALL FIXED NOW! - phew! - you can see the new/missing content under the "Vloggerhood" tab.

 

November 5th 4:00pm - Frank

Have added full text comment notifications to VH emails. So when an email is sent that a comment was received, it will contain that comment.

November 5th - Frank

12:30am: Recent issue with vids not playing. Several members have confirmed. I have written the following to Ning:

I'm an admin on Vloggerheads and many members have reported videos not playing. This has been confirmed with different computers and browsers, all of which can view videos on other sites, and at least one other Ning. However, the video issue on Vloggerheads is currently affecting all video content that is not embedded from elsewhere. Please advise with support.

Hopefully this will be resolved quickly.

update: problem seems resolved.
--Frank

 

November 4th, 2010 - from the fortified garderobe of Frank

Started a You Pick the Banner blog which might be a series. Sort of like a "battle of the banners" where a defending banner meets two new contenders and the one people like best goes up (or stays up).
November 3rd, 2010 - from the odiferous bunker of Frank

Posted the final version of the membership question
November 2nd, 2010 - from Frank
Thanks again for the input we are getting. We've updated the new member question again to reflect this new input and it now reads:
VH Governing Procedures says applicants must establish identity. If we have reason to believe the information you have provided is false, we will note this reason publicly (in a blog, vlog, or discussion) and you may be asked to furnish a video within 7 days of that request, which addresses the VloggerHeads site by name and which clearly provides audiovisual identity. This video can be private for Admin only if you wish.
Adding the responsibility of publicly letting the community know the reasoning will, we hope, aid in transparency, information, and discussion.

Continued ideas are always welcome!
--Frank
November 2, 2010 - From the cubbyhole of Frank (in a van down by the river)

The wolverines have nearly eaten my toes, here in the tundra of upstate NY. I have not the strength to shoo them, and I heard somewhere it was bad luck to do so. I've left an offering of grease paint to the militant clowns who have formed a crude collection society in my neighborhood. My nights are haunted by the honking of their round red noses as they prowl the stinky, cat-laden streets.

Down to one match and half a clove. Would rather have one clove and half a match (the right half). Soon the squirrels will be mocking my immobility with their incessantly inquisitive squeaks and chirps. Vloggerheads project becoming a mutant festering mishmash of jumbled voices, a cacophony of words and sounds and faces I can smell, leering at my toeless form as I lay here on the frozen ground. Par for the course.

:) Cheers,

--Frank
November 1, 2010 - From the Desk of Morfeene
Evenin' Guys and Gals. Your friendly neighborhood Admin here. You might have noticed that I have added an entry under "Hotlist" called "Best of the Best" - where I'd like us to highlight and give easy access to some of the very finest material you all have made in the time Vloggerheads' has been around. I have put up a few of MY very favorite collab videos... after all - why be an Admin if you can't take liberties every now and then? - hahahaa - BUT - I'd like you to suggest some others if you feel like you want to.

I have created a Group called "Best of the Best Nominations" here :
http://www.vloggerheads.com/group/bestofthebestnominations

Does anyone have the link to the one of John parading around in his red thong? :-)

Regards Steve-O

November 1, 2010

Hello from your (fairly) new Admin team of
- Morfeene
- Frank
- Suja
- PiP
and
- Diesel Bodine.
We thought we would put up this blog so that we can share our thoughts and commentary with you all in a central place that you can easily access.
All of our Admin team have been encouraged to join in and leave you their thoughts or ideas, or simply to say "Hi" from time to time! :-)